There are many ways to enjoy seafood. If you’re looking for an alternative to crabs and fish, then you should give oysters a try. Oysters are incredibly delicious and are good for you too. Here is a guide on how to cook oysters.
Oyster Sauce
Oyster sauce may sound unappealing, but it is a key component in many Chinese recipes. It’s a combination of oysters, soy sauce, salty brine, garlic, ginger, sugar, and leeks. Now doesn’t that sound much tastier?
Raw Oysters
Many times, you don’t even need to cook oysters to prepare them and serve them. For this to work, they must be left chilled on a bed of ice. Crispy thin crackers or thinly sliced and buttered pumpernickel take the experience up a notch.
Shucking
Getting to the meal inside the shells involves the technique called shucking. Put them in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes to help relax the muscles, but don’t forget to take them out! Freshly-shucked oysters are useful for many types of preparation, such as broiling, smoking, and baking – all on the half-shell. Plus, you can cook them in other ways if you want to.
Steaming
Another great way to cook oysters is to steam them. Only steam them for a few seconds – or pop them in the microwave! This will open the shells and then you can take the meat out. Since oysters are naturally salty, any recipes you use them for won’t need any more salt.
Other Tips
Similarly to many other foods, size and age will matter. If you value tenderness above any other attribute, then big smaller and younger oysters. When you go to cook them, be as gentle as possible. Otherwise, they will go rubbery and chewy in a bad way – you’ve wasted them. Try a variety of herbs when you serve your cooked oysters: some suggestions include
YOUR SEAFOOD DESTINATION
Costas Inn has been a Baltimore tradition since 1971. You may recognize our restaurant, which was recently featured on the Food Network with Michael Symon on Burgers, Brew, and ‘Que! We were also voted the 2015 #1 Baltimore Seafood Restaurant by USA Today, as well as #1 Crab Restaurant 2014 in the Baltimore Business Journal. You may have also spotted Costas Inn during one of our 9 appearances on the Today Show or heard one of our many interviews on WJZ TV Channel 13 with Ron Matz and Marty Bass.
You can enjoy our famous crab cakes in-house or order them online for any time eating. We also provide some of the best seafood catering in the Baltimore area! You can also get your fill from Costas even when you’re not in our dining room: follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Tags: meal prep ideas, menu items, oysters, seafood facts